Mining machine



Dec. 24, 1929. c. B. OFFICER MINING MACHINE Filed Feb. -1 1927 Invenior:Th

MA'MM w 'il-l' Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECHARLES B. OFFICER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- TO SULLIVANMACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS IVIINING MACHINEApplication filed February 1, 1927. Serial No. 165,201.

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly pertainsto feeding mechanisms for coal mining machines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal miningmachine of the type slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom duringcutting and having improved power operated feeding means therefor.Another object is to provide an improved power operated feed jack for amining machine operated by the mining machine driving motor. Stillanother object of this invention is to provide improved feeding meansfor a mining machine of the room and pillar type, this improved feedingmeans includmg a ack operated by the flexible feeding means for themachine. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improvedsumpmg jack for a room and pillar type coal cutter. Another object is toprovide an lmproved feed chain jack. These and other objects andadvantages of my invention will, however, subsequently appear.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of amining machine illustrating the improvedfeeding mechan sm applied thereto, a portion of the feedlng mechanismbeing shown in section to illustrate details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the machineshown in Fig. 1.

.Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention the improved feedingmechanism is shown applied to a mining machine 1 of a well known roomand pillar chain fed type having a frame 2 slidable on its bottom 3 overthe mine bottom during cutting. Projecting forwardly from and rigidlysecured to the frame 2 is a horizontal plane cutter bar 4 having acutter bit carrying cutter chain 5 supported on its margin, the cutterchain being adapted to be rapidly circulated about the bar in a usualmanner. A motor 6 is carried by the frame 2 and is adapted to drive thecutter chain 5 and also a feed operating member 7, herein a chainsprocket rotatable on a vertical axis. Cooperating with the feedoperating member 7 is a usual flexible feeding memher 8 herein aflexible feed chain. As illustrated suitable guide sheaves or rolls 9are located adjacent the feed sprocket 7 for guiding the feed chain 8relative to the feed sprocket.

Heretofore the advance and receding portions of the feed chain 8 wereanchored at their free ends adjacent the right and left hand ribs of theroom and the machine fed in a well known manner relative to the feedchain as the feed sprocket 7 was rotated. However, under certainconditions it has been found impractical to extend the feed chain to theribs, for instance when cutting a face where the coal has been shot downprior to the transverse cutting operation, and more especially in amachine of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No.73,179 filed Dec. 4, 1925, where the coal is simul taneously cut andloaded. To overcome certain disadvantages of the usual flexible feedingmeans under such conditions the following improved feeding mechanism hasbeen devised.

The improved feeding mechanism as shown in the drawings specificallycomprises an elongated rack bar 10 having a hollow casing 11 in which arack 12 is slidably guided. The bar 10 is pivotally connected at 13 to ausual telescopic screw operated roof jack 14 al though it is obviousthat jacks of various types may be used with equal success. The rack bar10 is positioned on the roof jack 14 by means of adjustable collars 15.Rotatably mounted on the casing 11 of the jack at 16 on a vertical axisis a chain sprocket 17 in use arranged substantially parallel with thefeed sprocket 7 and in substantially the same horizontal plane. Thesprocket 17 has secured thereto and rotatable therewith a spur pinion 18disposed within the casing 11 and meshing with the teeth on the slidablerack 12. Also journaled on the casing 11 adjacent ichain jack when thefeed sprocket 7 is rothe sprocket 17 is a guide sprocket 19. As shown,formed on the inner or machine end of the rack is a transverse machineabutting member 20 adapted to engage the end or sides of the machine aswill later be described. If desired the member 20 may be bolted to themachine frame or a socket or clamp may be provided on the machine forreceiving the member 20. The feed chain 8 is adapted to be extended fromthe feed sprocket 7 around the central guide sprocket 9 and between thesprockets 17 and 19 as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the free ends of thefeed chain lyingslack on the mine bottom.

In the operation of the improved feed tated by the motor 6, the feedchain 8 is drawn 1n, and due to its connection with the sprocket 17 thepinion 18 is rotated and consequently the rack 12 is fed outwardlyrelative to the casing 11. The pitch of the rack and pinion is such asto cause the movement of the rack to be slower than the movement of thefeed chain, that is, the feed chain is drawn in at a rate faster thanthe rate of movement of the rack 12, and consequently the rack 'willfeed the machine forwardly relative to the casing 11 as the chain isdrawn in by the sprocket 7. When the jack is in the position shown inFig. 1 and the machine suitably positioned adqacent the face the cutterbar maybe sumped in under the coal at a cutting speed, the machinemoving endwise atthat time. After the sumping cut is completed the jackmay be suitably positioned with its transverse abutting member 20engaging the side of the machine and upon continued rotation of the feedsprocket 7 the machine may be fed transversely relative to the coalface. W] hen the limit of feeding movement of the rack'12 is reached theroof jack 14 may be released and the chain rereeved relative to thesprocket 17 and upon rotation of the sprocket 7 the sprocket 17 will berotated in a reverse direction and the casing 11 and jack 14L will bedrawn toward the machine relative to the then stationary rack 12. The

roof jack 14 is then again set and the feeding operation is repeateduntil a cut of the desired length is obtained. Other uses and advantagesof the improved feed chain jack driven thereby, and a rotatable chainsprocket driven by said motor adapted to cooperate with a flexiblechain, of feeding means for the machine operated by said motorcomprising a detachable power jack engaging the exterior of the machineand reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, said jackincluding a rotatable chain sprocket cooperating with said chain.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a driving motor, cuttingmechanism driven thereby, and a rotatable chain sprocket driven by saidmotor adapted to cooperate with a flexible feed chain, of feeding meansfor the machine operated by said motor comprising a. jack including aguide element reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, asliding rack carried by said guide element and engaging the machine, apinion meshing with said rack, and a chain sprocket for rotating saidpinion and with which the feed chain cooperates.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with a driving motor, cuttingmechanism driven thereby and a rotatable feed operating member driven bysaid motor adapted to cooperate with a flexible feed element, of feedingmeans for the machine operated by said motor comprising a jack includinga guide element reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, asliding rack carried by said guide element and engaging the machine, apinion meshing with said rack, and a rotatable member for rotating saidpinion and with which the flexible feed element cooperates.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a driving motor, cuttingmechanism driven thereby and a rotatable chain sprocket driven by saidmotor adapted to cooperate with a flexible feed chain, of feeding meansfor the machine operated by said motor comprising a jack including aguide element, a sliding rack element carried by said guide element, oneof said elements reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment andthe other element engaging the machine, a pinion meshing with said rack,and a chain sprocket for rotating said pinion and with which the feedchain cooperates.

5. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplementalpositive feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodilyover the mine bottom operated by said flexible feeding means.

6. The combmatlon with a mining machine comprising a machine frameshdable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a feedoperating member and a cooperating flexible feeding member, ofsupplemental feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodilyover the mine bottom comprising a feeding device operated by saidflexible member.

7. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a feedoperating member and a cooperating flexible feeding member, ofsupplemental feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodilyover the mine bottom comprising a feeding device including a rotatabledriving means operated by said flexible feeding member.

8. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a feedoperating member and a cooperating flexible feeding member, ofsupplemental feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodilyover the mine bottom comprising a feeding device including a rack and acooperating pinion, a rotating member for said pinion operated by saidflexible feeding member.

9. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplementalfeeding means for the machine including a telescopic jack operated bysaid flexible feeding member.

10. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a driving motor, a cutter barprojecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means driven by saidmotor for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the minebottom during cutting including a rotatable feed operating memberadapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding element, of supplementalfeeding means for the machine operated by said motor comprising a powerjack engaging the machine and reacting against a stationary extraneousabutment, said jack including a rotatable member operated by saidflexible feeding element.

11. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a driving motor, a cutter barprojecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means operated by saidmotor for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the minebottom during cutting, of supplemental feeding means for the machineoperated by said motor for moving the machine either longitudinally tofeed the cutter bar into the coal to effect a sumping cut or laterallyrelative to the coal face during cutting to effect a transverse cutcomprising a power jack engaging the machine frame and reacting againsta stationary extraneous abutment.

12. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodilylaterally during cutting including a terminal element adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means, of supplemental positivefeeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over themine bottom operated by said terminal feeding element of said firstmentioned feeding means.

13. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental positivefeeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over themine bottom operated by said flexible feeding means.

14. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a driving motor, a cutter barprojecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means operated by saidmotor for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the minebottom during cutting, of supplemental feeding means for the machineoperated by said motor for moving the machine longitudinally to feed thecutter bar into the coal or transversely relatively to the coal face tomake a transverse cut comprising a power jack engageable with themachine frame either longitudinally or transversely thereof to effectfeeding movement of the machine on the bottom in the aforesaiddirections and reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment.

15. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom and an elongated kerf cutterprojecting from said frame, of feeding means for the machine comprisinga power jack including feeding elements having relative longitudinalmovement, one of said elements engaging the machine while the otherreacts against a stationary extraneous abutment, said feeding meansbeing operative to move the machine upon the mine bottom bodilylaterally transversely across the coal face to effect the transversecutting operation.

16. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frameslidable on its bottom on tile mine bottom and an elongated kerf cutterprojecting from said frame, of feeding means for the machine for feedingthe latter bodily over the mine bottom and comprising a power jackincluding feeding elements having relative longitudinal movement, one ofsaid elements engaging the "Q machine while the other reacts against astationary extraneous abutment, said feeding means being disposable indifferent positions, in one postion longitudinally lengthwise of themachine to move the machine longitudinally to effect the sumping cut andin the other position transversely to said machine to move the machinetransversely relative to the coal face to effect the transverse cut.

17. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frameslidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting fromsaid frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machinebodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplementalpositive feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodilyover the mine bottom operated by said flexible feeding means andincluding elements operated by said flexible feeding means to effectfeeding of the machine at a speed slower than the normal rate of machinefeed ing speed effected by said flexible feeding means.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

CHARLES B. OFFICER.

